2023
Alexander Norman (Red Alex) Stewart
Red Alex Stewart was a well-known and respected piper and violinist for many years in Glengarry. He was known as “Red Alex” to distinguish him from his neighbour and cousin “Black Alex.” He spent his entire life in the Stewart’s Glen and Skye area of Northern Glengarry.
Lori MacMaster
For over 40 years Lori MacMaster has contributed to the Celtic tradition of Glengarry through music, dance and teaching step dancing to hundreds of students.
Larry Lafave
Larry Lafave was a lifelong resident of Martintown. He was born on May 31, 1943, the son of Mabel Flaro and Joseph B Lafave. He was a well liked and respected member of the community. An avid musician, Larry played guitar in a few local establishments and in several hotels in West Quebec.
Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highland Dancing Association
On June 23rd, 1964 the Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highland Dancing Association was born with 30 families and 35 dancers. Currently there are over 80 members that celebrated their 50th anniversary a few years ago. This Association remains a non-profit that carries on the Scottish heritage of their ancestors.
Duncan “Dougie” J. MacDonald
Duncan played for 50 years with various groups including The Skye Orchestra, The MacCrimmon Orchestra, and the MacDonald Brothers. He played with Bob Urquhart, Joyce (Allen) Urquhart, Bev MacQueen, James Nixon, Duncan J and Rod MacPhee and of course, his brothers (The Dougie Boys).
Glenda McDonell
Glenda McDonell has been a promoter of Scottish music throughout her life. The Glengarry Celtic Music Hall of Fame acknowledges her success in obtaining the space in our hall as well as her service as a committee member for two years.
2020
Shelley MacPhee
For over fifty years Shelley MacPhee has been a driving force and is heavily influential with the ongoing operation of the Glengarry School of Piping and Drumming. During this time, hundreds of students, a good number from Glengarry, have passed through the school, learning the fine art of highland bagpiping and drumming.
Regimental Pipes and Drums of the Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders
To this day, The Regimental Pipes and Drums of the SD&G Highlanders is comprised of serving and retired members of the unit as well as civilian members. For 130 years this band has been known for their deep Celtic roots in Glengarry and adherence to the traditions of the Highlanders. Its roots in the Militia Companies of Glengarry, (No. 4 Company, Lancaster, No. 5 Company, Williamstown, and No. 7 Company, Dunvegan) have made outstanding contributions to Celtic music in Glengarry.
Ashley MacLeod-McRae
First taught by her dad, Ian, when she was ten and later by Denis Lanctot, Ashley MacLeod-Mcrae’s youthful exuberance and love for the fiddle made her a master artist of our time. She and her dad have helped to reignite the interest in fiddle music in Glengarry.
Alexander (Sandy) and Christena Alice Watt
Alexander and Christina Watt were definitely a musical duo, he an accomplished fiddler and she, a piano music teacher. A cousin recalls that a parties could go on their house till the wee hours of the morning, visitors playing until time to go home for chores.
2019
Kahlil Cappuccino
Kahlil Cappuccino was born in Montreal, Quebec in 1970. At the age of 5, he moved with his family to Glengarry County, Ontario – a place perhaps best known for hosting the North American Pipe Band Championships.
Gilbert Young
Gilbert Richard Duncan Young has been a long time contributor for over 60 years to the Glengarry Highland Games both as a performer and as the leader of pipe band activities which are the highlight of the Games where he has served as Director of Bands. As such he has had a major impact on Celtic Music in Glengarry.
Bill Vipond
Bill Vipond was raised on a farm in Summerstown front, Glengarry County where he began to sing in the Salem church choir. His love of music soon found him singing at weddings which he really enjoyed.
The Clansmen
The Clansmen were formed in 1973 under the direction of Sylvester MacDonald. This was one of very few Scottish dance bands in Glengarry at the time and they would change the way dance music would be played in the area for many years to come.
2018
Duncan Donald MacSweyn
Duncan Donald MacSweyn, known to all as Duncie, was born in 1871, in the former Kenyon Township, now North Glengarry, in a community on the Dunvegan Road known as Cotton Beaver. It was obvious from his teenage years that he had a great deal of natural talent.
Duncan Alexander Macdonell
Duncan Alexander Macdonell was a major promoter of Scottish and Celtic Music in Glengarry for nearly 30 years. He was born in St Raphael’s to Angus Alexander Macdonell and Marjorie MacKenzie.
Gerry O’Neill
Drawn to Glengarry by the music and the people, Gerry has shared his Irish musical heritage with the county for over 40 years and is a worthy nominee for the Glengarry Celtic Music Hall of Fame.
Ellen Cameron Maloney
At a very early age, Ellen Cameron, became interested in Highland dancing. Her first teacher, Mary Saunders, immediately saw her potential. Once she had mastered the basics, Ellen began competing in local competitions where she won numerous local awards.
2017
Hughie McDonell
Hughie’s family roots in Glengarry go back to the late 1790s. He grew up with eight sisters and five brothers on the family farm near Martintown. His father, William, had a great influence on Hugh, teaching him to play the guitar at the age of six. His siblings recall that there was always music in the house and their mother, Margaret Kennedy, frequently would dance with the children in the kitchen.
The Ranger Family
Omer and Angelina Ranger started their life together in Vaudreuil, Quebec, but moved to Glengarry County in 1911. They purchased land here and built their home. During their years in the brick home, they parented 12 living children. The house was filled with music and parties.
Douglas Lloyd MacCuaig
A native of Glen Sandfield, Ontario, Lloyd was born to Roddie and Edna MacCuaig (nee MacMillan) on Jan 12th 1935. Lloyd died on Jan 13th 2016. His mother Edna was a very accomplished pianist and influenced his style and choice of Scottish Music.
Darrel MacLeod
Darrel Edwin Neil MacLeod is the son of RD and Clara MacLeod. His musical ability includes playing the fiddle, mandolin, banjo, tin whistle and the bodhrán and singing.
2016
The MacQueen Family
The MacQueens from Skye were a very musical family who contributed to the music of Glengarry for over 50 years both as musicians and promoters.
The Glen Orchestra
The Glen Orchestra was one of the most popular performance groups in Glengarry for over 15 years. They played from St Eugene to Berwick, but were most popular in the North Glengarry area.
John Paul Vachon
John Paul was born in Apple Hill in Glengarry County on March 25th, 1930. He learned to play the guitar at the age of seven so that he could accompany his mother Laurette Ranger Vachon when she played the violin.
Neil MacDonell
Neil MacDonell has been described by Denis Carr as “a true Glengarry gentleman.” Those words are a perfect fit for Neil in so many ways.
David MacPhee
David MacPhee established himself as a fixture in our community when he began teaching Celtic fiddle and piano lessons to fourteen students at the Hall in 2005. His student base grew quickly as word spread of his affable and kind personality. There are few in David’s generation that are as committed to seeing the Celtic Music tradition continue as David is committed to the cause.
2015
Finlay McDonell
By reputation, conviction and action, Finlay McDonell has spent a lifetime supporting all of what Glengarry means to those lucky enough to live there.
Frederick Leroux
Robert Kitts
During his long career, Pipe Major Kitts volunteered his time and talent teaching numerous pipers. His easy going personality and talent along with his unselfish devotion to the perpetuation of traditional pipe music has encouraged many people, young and old, to take up the pipes.
John Angus MacDonald
